Your Rights

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Person with Disabilities stipulates that people with disabilities must have access to sport and recreation venues both as spectators and active participants. It states that children with disabilities must be included in physical education within the school system to the fullest extent possible and enjoy equal access to play, recreation and leisure and sporting activities. New Zealand is a signatory to the Convention.

In New Zealand, The Sport and Recreation Act 2002 and the New Zealand Disability Strategy make it clear that everyone with a disability has the right to participate in meaningful sport. Sport New Zealand's 'No Exceptions' strategy (PDF)supports the inclusion of disabled people in community sport and recreation and provides guidelines for people working in that area.